What Implications Will the Supreme Court's Taxing Power Decision Have on the Goals of the Affordable Care Act and Healthcare?

Abstract

One of the signature achievements of the Obama Administration is the Affordable Care Act. The Act represents a massive change to the country's healthcare system that includes an individual mandate requiring certain individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld this individual mandate under Congress's taxing power. This Comment will examine the implications of the Court's decision on the individual mandate and the Court's taxing power analysis. A primary objective of the Act is to have more Americans covered by health insurance. This Comment suggests the Court's decision may ultimately result in fewer Americans being insured. Finally, contrary to the fears of critics of the Act and the Court's decision, the Comment concludes that the Court's analysis of Congress's taxing power will not open the gates to new congressional mandates. Despite the Court's decision and the re-election of President Obama, much uncertainly still remains about the future of healthcare in America. The Act is here to stay, but its implementation and outcomes are far from certain.

Keywords: Affordable Care Act, Individual Mandate, Healthcare Reform, Taxing Power